Music, magazines: Authorities deploying measures to boost vaccine center turnout
Faced with lower turnouts at COVID-19 vaccination centers, authorities are trying to attract people by devising interesting ways such as installing selfie stands, deploying counselors, playing soothing music, and providing access to TV and magazines during the mandatory 30 minutes observation period. "District authorities have asked senior doctors to set an example and get themselves vaccinated first to motivate their juniors," an official said.
Interesting ways being adopted to attract more people
Be it playing light soothing music in the waiting hall, or clicking photographs of vaccination beneficiaries and playing it on the big screen near the center, the head of departments and professors leading by example by getting vaccinated first. Also, television and magazines are being made available to those undergoing the mandatory observation period post-vaccination.
'Swasthyadoot' volunteers to interact with beneficiaries prior to vaccination
"To address vaccine hesitancy, Swasthyadoot volunteers under the guidance of clinical psychologist and nursing instructor from the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), will be interacting with beneficiaries prior to vaccination," an official from the district administration said.
Senior doctors asked to get vaccinated to motivate healthcare workers
"The district administration is committed to bring behavioral change in the society through dedicated teams of Manoratna volunteers, NGOs and civil society," the official added. "In northeast Delhi, senior doctors have been asked to come forward and get vaccinated to give a message to other healthcare workers so that they are motivated, and they reach vaccination centers in good numbers," another official said.
List of beneficiaries on Co-WIN can be altered now
Further, the district officials said a feature has also been added to the Co-WIN app to allow the list of beneficiaries uploaded on the mobile application to be changed. "This will help boost the number of health workers getting vaccinated by adding those interested and willing by replacing those who show hesitation and do not turn up for getting the vaccine," an official said.
Fears related to adverse events keeping many away from centers
"Earlier, the list uploaded on the app was sacrosanct and could not be changed. But, now we can add beneficiaries to it," said a senior district official. Various reasons are being attributed to the low turnout, including some technical issues and fears related to adverse events.
Only 4,319 healthcare workers got vaccinated on Day 1
On Saturday, the day of the launch of the nationwide mega vaccination drive, a total of 4,319 health workers were vaccinated against a target of 8,117 in the city. Monday saw a further dip in the numbers when only 3,600 health workers (44 percent) got the jab. On Tuesday, as many as 4,936 healthcare workers received the COVID-19 vaccine shots in Delhi.
